When I started my travel agent journey last June, being a typical girl, I was well aware of my weaknesses.  And one of them was that I have never been on a cruise.  Never had an inkling to go on a cruise.  Not even a desire to set foot on a cruise.  In fact, if you said to me before then, let’s go on a cruise – I would put my nose in the air and go – NO!  There is no way I can spend just 8 hours in a port.  There’s too much to do.  And buffets, post COVID.  AND I AM NOT THAT OLD. 

Life Changes 

My partner in crime (not my mother, I know, a shocking turn of events) has been on many cruises. That was before my time, and a marriage ago for him. If I am honest, I’m a bit tired of hearing about all the lobster they used to eat on NCL cruises in the early 2000’s. The snide comments aside, I knew he would be a great resource for me. 

Onvigo’s Training 

I also knew when I signed up with ONVIGO that I knew nothing about cruising, and that it was a very popular choice for many travellers across a large demographic.  As soon as I graduated from ‘TAPS’ as I called it (Travel Agent Prep School), I dove into cruising professional development.  If you know me, it’s all or nothing.  I spent a week of evenings completing the modules of two sister cruise lines. Then another two weeks on two more cruise lines. It became apparent quite quickly that reading, looking at pictures and videos and completing the exams was nowhere near the same as experiencing it for myself. 

Virgin Voyages 

My time spent on a very small boat in the Galapagos taught me that I get a wee bit seasick. 7 days was the max I was willing to suffer if in fact I got seasick on a much larger vessel. I had completed my Virgin Gold Knot training and was proudly a First Mate. They encouraged me to take a cruise with them, and I took it.  We are going to the Lesser Antilles in March.  Am I reluctant?  Yup.  Is it another adventure.  You betcha.   

So you can follow me on this journey in March. I will be blogging all the way there and back. Meanwhile, I will be acquiring copious amounts of reef safe sunscreen.  But that is another blog, for another day.  

xo